Page 29 of Tempting Irish

Chapter 7

Owen

Igrindmy back teeth as I watch Bree, or Beatrice or whatever the hell her name is, walk out of therestaurant.

“Someone woke up with a thistle up his arse,” Aiden says, his lips twisting down. “Ye looked like ye wanted to murder the poorgirl.”

“Or fuck her,” Shane adds with a knowinggrin.

I glare at Shane, wondering if the man ever thinks with anything other than his dick. And knowing that even after last night’s scare, the man will probably never growup.

“Screw off, both of ye.” I push my chair back, ignoring the raised eyebrows. I stalk after the woman, despite the fact that I know it’ll raise more than a few questions among thegroup.

But I’m pissed. And I have every right tobe.

When I woke up with her scent still on the pillows, and her vanished from my room, something stirred in my chest, because I wasn’t ready to let hergo.

Forher,for one more taste, I was willing to break my ownrule.

But hell, if I’d known who she was, I’d have gouged my own eyes out for even looking at her the way I did. She’s a kid. And not just any kid. She’s fucking family. Agnus would have my balls if sheknew.

Guilt was the first emotion I felt after the initial shock of finding out who she was. Until I realized the brat knew exactly whoIwas.

She’d playedme.

And I want to know exactly what her fucking gameis.

I slam my palm between the elevator doors just before they close, startling an elderly couple waitinginside.

Bree’s eyes widen when she sees me. The same face, and the same body, that had rocked my foundation last night, now looked up at me with real fear. Good, she should be nervous. Because I’ve never been so mad in my entirelife.

“Owen-”

“Not here,” I say sternly, stepping in, every muscle in my bodytense.

The media would love the fight I know is coming. And I’ve learned from experience that there are eyes and earseverywhere.

The lift stops on the fourth floor and the couple getsoff.

“I know you’re upset, and I’m sorry,” she starts, her hands twisting together. “But I nevermeant-”

“I said, nothere.”

Her mouth clamps shut, but I catch her gaze, her blue eyes wide and filled with so much damn emotion that I almost forget myanger.

On the fifth floor, she starts to move to get off, but I place an arm out, stoppingher.

“My room,” Igrowl.

She sucks in a shaky breath and nods, smart enough not to say another word until we’re in my suite and the door closes behindus.

“Owen, if you’ll let meexplain-”

“All right. Explain,” Idemand.

She inhales, then lets out a long, shuddering breath, and says slowly, “I thought you knew who I was. And when I realized you didn’t,I…”

“Ye what?” I narrow my eyes ather.

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